August 21, 2008
Carrie Nation
As Sex and the City: The Movie opens in Tokyo, Japanese women are emulating their big-screen heroines
By Metropolis
Get the SATC look at these Tokyo fashion hotspots
Charlotte’s bracelet here is by Chanel. Although there are an abundance of Chanel boutiques in Tokyo, only the Ginza flagship is worth battling a gaggle of 17-year-old girls for the spoils. Why? Because you can treat yourself to a meal at trendy in-house restaurant Beige—by multi-Michelin-starred master chef Alain Ducasse—after your victorious score.
3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-5447-3079. Open daily 11am-8pm. Nearest stn: Ginza. www.chanel.com
This is an iconic scene, and it calls for an iconic dress. Who better to pull it off than the original rebel of fashion, Vivienne Westwood? The designer is perfect for Carrie, who is a quirky fashioneer herself. For big pieces from the Westwood main line, best to go straight to the source at the Aoyama boutique. This particular dress isn’t sold there, but you’ll be sure to find something to fit your fantasy fashion needs.
5-49-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5774-5939. Open daily 11am-8pm. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.viviennewestwood.com
If, unlike Carrie’s assistant Louise, renting is not your thing (or paying full-price for that matter), then hightail it to Rag Tag, the city’s best answer to consignment. Find all of the big international brands, including YSL, Prada and Gucci, for dirt cheap at one of the seven Tokyo locations, including my favorite, the massive Ginza RT.
3-3-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3535-4100. Open daily 11am to 8pm. Nearest stn: Ginza. www.ragtag.jp
Well, this is an eyeful of accessories! If you’d like to outfit your outfit, head to Carboots in Daikanyama, which specializes in retro accessories with a vast array of ’50s-’70s-style jewelry. And if ginormous bonnets aren’t your thing, the shop carries a vast collection of groovy sunglasses, too. Unfortunately, 2-for-1 margaritas aren’t included.
14-5 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3464-6868. Open daily 11am-8pm. Nearest stn: Daikanyama. www.carboots.org
This pretty sculptured dress is by New York designer Zac Posen, which all the ladies, except Carrie, wore in the same scene. Zac Posen is available at Restir, the de facto shop for fashionistas in search of statement pieces from both high-end local and global designers.
1F Galleria, Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5413-3708. Open daily 11am-11pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.restir.com
If I was a piece of costume jewelry that died, Too Much would be my heaven. This is the place to find sophisticated and artsy bags, earrings, necklaces, brooches—you name it. And since Too Much is located in the street-style La Foret mall, you know one thing that won’t be all too much: the price.
B1 La Foret Harajuku 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3401-2062. Open 11am-10pm. Nearest stn: Harajuku. www.newterritory.net
Tutus, ruffles, feathers and other flights of dramatic sartorial fancy crowd the walls of Rosy Baroque, a cozy vintage clothing shop in the heart of Shibuya. Look for beaded satin ballet flats, sequin gowns and other gems that are imported from around the world. Sister stores Hypnotique (for retro) and Cabaret (for flash) lie just a few steps away.
6F, 1-12-14 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3463-7809. Open daily noon-8pm. Nearest stn: Shibuya.
Woah! This look is very “Samantha,” but it’s also a heck of a lot of sparkle, and not the easiest to pull off without appearing like a walking disco ball. For smaller excursions of bling, try Swarovski in Ginza—your friends’ retinas depend on it.
1-2F Jewel Box Ginza, 8-9-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3289-3700. Open 11am to 8pm. Nearest stn: Ginza. www.jewelbox-ginza.com
Carrie wears a T-shirt by designer Katharine Hamnett, but this look could easily have been dug up from the depths of Shibuya 109. Seriously, if you want to have the true SATC fashion experience and emulate the styles with the flash, the trends, and lots of fantastic tacky finds, the gyaru hotspot of 109 is an absolute Mecca.
2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3477-5111. Open daily 10am to 9pm. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.shibuya109.jp
Look at all these yummy shoes! If you get a hankerin’ for something spindly and strappy, Jimmy Choo is your man. At the two-story flagship store that opened in Ginza late last month, you’ll find enough Choos to get yourself over a lifetime of relationship meltdowns. Just be sure to bring your own Mr Big—Mr Big MasterCard, that is.
6-7-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-5537-2115. Open daily 11am to 8pm. Nearest stn: Ginza. www.jimmychoo.com